Music Production Forum

With countless new software and plugins getting released each day, it’s easy for musicians to fall into the trap of constantly chasing the next shiny tool when making music. Though according to 47-year-old producer Scott Hansen – aka Tycho – this obsession with gear is often misplaced—for most music, he argues, can be created with even “the most basic DAWs”. Speaking in an interview with MusicTech, Tycho shares his thoughts on the gear-focused culture that dominates today’s music-making landscape... The post Tycho: “The most basic DAWs have enough tools in them to be able to make, like, 90 percent of all music ever created” appeared first on MusicTech. …

Synth Buddy lets you connect up to 10 stereo (or 20 mono) line level sources and toggle between them with the turn of a knob.… Read More Heritage Audio Intros Synth Buddy 10-To-1 Stereo SelectorView the full article

Deepsounds has updated NC Editor, their dedicated TouchOSC patch editor for the Novation Circuit and Novation Circuit Tracks, to support iPhone and Android mobile phones.… Read More Novation Circuit Patch Editor Now Available For Android & iOS Mobile DevicesView the full article

The event complements the 2025 NAMM Show, and will feature over 70 boutique synth makers. … Read More Buchla & Friends Synth Maker Showcase Coming To LA January 25-26View the full article

Korg has introduced the FISA SUPREMA C 'synthcordion', a compact version of their FISA SUPREMA digital accordion. It's available in two versions, with button- or keyboard-style keys.… Read More Korg Intros FISA SUPREMA C SynthcordionView the full article

Korg has introduced the miniKORG 700Sm, a compact variation on the reissue of the classic miniKORG 700, the company’s first mass-produced analog monosynth.… Read More KORG miniKORG 700Sm Debuts At 2025 NAMM ShowView the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Rhodes Music plans to showcase their MK8 Piano, launch a new Custom Shop Line, and introduce a new 61-Key Stage Piano.… Read More NAMM 2025: Rhodes Music to Showcase MIDI MK8 Piano, Custom Shop Line & Unveil New 61-Key Stage PianoView the full article

Phil Speiser is a musician, producer, and developer who embodies the term one-man-band. Now, The_Spice, his all-in-one sonic enhancement plugin, is free for a limited time. Everything on his website (including the website design), from music to sounds and plugins, is 100% Phil. I’m sure we’ve all worked on songs or projects that change in [...] View post: The Spice all-in-one sonic enhancement plugin by Phil Speiser is FREE for a limited time View the full article

Plugin Boutique is currently offering Excite Audio’s Vision 4X Lite spectral analyzer plugin (normally $59) for free for a limited time. You can get the plugin for free with the coupon code Mastering4X. Vision 4X Lite is a 64-bit-only release for macOS (VST, VST3, AU, AAX, standalone) and Windows (VST, VST3, AAX, standalone). To get [...] View post: Excite Audio Vision 4X Lite Spectral Analyzer is FREE on Plugin Boutique View the full article

Soundfingers offer the Etheral Melodica plugin (usually €24) for free until January 31, 2025, with the coupon code FREELODICA. Etheral Melodica is a release for macOS (VST3, AU) and Windows (VST3). To score the freebie, add the plugin to your Soundfingers cart, then apply the coupon code FREELODICA on the panel to the right. Then, [...] View post: Soundfingers Etheral Melodica Plugin is FREE Until January 31, 2025 View the full article

Organic house music has dominated the scene over the past few years and for a good reason. It’s a genre that thrives in different spaces – perfect for daytime parties where fans don’t need to stay out until dawn to catch their favorite DJs as much as it does on and the fact that rich melodies and textures drive it, organic house works as well in clubs as it does for casual listening. Its melodic focus makes these tracks memorable, sticking with listeners long after the track ends. That’s what makes the best organic and progressive house tracks so replayable. For producers looking to make their mark in this space, the Beatport Top 10 Charts are a goldmine o…

Using the hardware and software versions together, you can have the best of both worlds: a physical instrument that responds to your touch, and complete DAW integration.… Read More 2025 NAMM Show: Korg Intros multi/poly native SynthesizerView the full article

About a year ago, Stylophone surprised everyone when they announced the CPM DS-2 – an analog drone synth and the manufacturer’s first instrument without a stylus. Now, things finally appear to be moving ahead. You can now order the CPM DS-2 from Thomann! If you’ve pre-ordered the CPM DS-2 from the manufacturer, you may already have received a message that your unit is about to ship. And starting today, you can also order the drone synth from Thomann* for $232 / £228 / €269. The post Stylophone CPM DS-2 Drone Synth Is Shipping appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Behringer STEPS is the next module “heavily inspired” by a Mutable Instrument design. As a Stages clone, STEPS is a versatile six-stage function generator that lends itself to a wide variety of modulation tasks. It’s only been a few weeks since Behringer announced SWORDS, a clone of MI Blades. And the series continues: STEPS is a carbon copy of Stages, a hugely flexible modulation module that can be a multi-stage envelope, complex LFO, sequencer, or anything in between. Depending on how you patch the gate inputs, the six segments can be grouped into complex shapes. You can use all six stages individually, or combine them to build multi-stage envelopes or sequenc…

Korg multi/poly native puts the multi/poly hardware synth inside your DAW. Didn’t see this one coming! Or at least not this quickly. On the same day that Korg has released the multi/poly module, the company has gone and made the Korg multi/poly native available as a plugin for your DAW. And it’s fully compatible with the classic Mono/Poly-inspired hardware... The post Korg multi/poly native: Korg’s Excellent Virtual Analog Hardware Synth Now in Your Computer appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Ahead of the 2025 NAMM Show, Korg has introduced the multi/poly module, a new version of the multi/poly that can be used as a desktop or rackmount synth.… Read More Korg mono/poly Module Debuting At 2025 NAMM ShowView the full article

KORG KRONOS returns, a collective sigh of relief is emitted from its fanbase and we have another killer workstation to enjoy! It’s Been a Long Wait For some time now, KORG KRONOS fans have been crying out for a new version of the flagship workstation. Every time KORG made an announcement in recent years, it was pre-empted by a sharp intake of breath, followed shortly after by a loud groan as the third iteration of the KRONOS failed to appear yet again. Not this time, though. It’s huge, it’s here, and it’s coming to a music store near you very soon! KORG can easily lay claim to being the originators of the keyboard workstation, way back with the legendary M1.…

KORG announce the KORG miniKORG 700Sm, a mini version of the classic “mini” but with all the spec. The KORG miniKORG 700s holds a very dear place in my heart. It was the first proper synthesizer I actually spent time with. I’d recently changed high school and I immediately visited the music department to check out their drum kit, being the drummer that I am. The post KORG miniKORG 700Sm – KORG’s Definitive Monosynth becomes Diminutive appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article KORG miniKORG 700Sm · Source: KORG

Overloud is giving away free licenses for the TH-U Essentials guitar amp sim (normally $89) until January 20, 2025. TH-U Essentials is a release for macOS (VST, AU, AAX, standalone) and Windows (VST, AAX, standalone). Overloud is giving away 1000 TH-U Essentials licenses daily from January 14 to January 20. TH-U Essentials is a guitar sim [...] View post: Overloud TH-U Essentials Guitar Amp Sim is FREE until January 20 View the full article

This week, we have presets that work on both the hardware or software versions of two great synths. Everyone’s a winner! Nowadays, we live in a world where one can have the tactility of a hardware synth as well as the convenience of an exact software replica. Whether we prefer hardware or software, we can have the best of both worlds. So, we kick off this week’s column with two packs that cater for two fantastic synths that have their feet in both worlds... The post Hardware or Software? Why Not Both? – Sounds and Presets appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

The NAMM Show 2025 is taking place on 21 -25 January in Anaheim, California, despite speculation that the tragic Los Angeles Wildfires might impact the world’s biggest music technology trade show. And, judging by the schedule and exhibitors, it’s certainly set to be an action-packed edition of the 123-year-old convention. Held annually at the Anaheim Convention Centre, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show brings together over 3,500 music brands, over 150 performing acts, and 75,000 attendees. This year, the show is spread across five days rather than the usual four, bursting with even more music workshops, panels, performances and products. Plus, a…

In light of his essay about Behringer’s reinterpretation of his LinnDrum, Roger Linn has further spoken out about the importance of consent when it comes to gear emulations. Roger Linn’s LinnDrum launched in 1982 via his Linn Electronics brand following its predecessor, the Linn LM-1, and marked the first drum machine to use samples of real drums. Behringer’s LM Drum landed back in December for $399, and was branded as a modern reinterpretation with extra features including MIDI support... The post Roger Linn on the ethics of gear remakes: “Asking my permission would be appreciated” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Suno CEO Mikey Shulman has claimed that most people don’t actually “enjoy the majority of the time they spend making music”. The AI music generation startup executive shares his controversial take on the creative process in a recent interview on the 20VC podcast, during which he asserts that music-making is “not really enjoyable” due to the amount of time and practice it demands... The post CEO of AI music generation firm Suno claims majority of people don’t “enjoy” making music appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Reloop has announced the Keypad Pro, the brand’s latest compact DAW workstation with wireless MIDI capabilities and full plug-and-play Bitwig integration. Billed as an “all-in-one solution for project studios and mobile use”, Keypad Pro features a 25-key velocity-sensitive mini keypad with integrated pitch bend and modulation wheels, and 16 velocity-sensitive, aftertouch-equipped RGB pads that can be used to trigger drum sounds or launch clips (play and stop)... The post Reloop’s new Keypad Pro is a compact DAW workstation with wireless MIDI and full Bitwig integration appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

XILS-lab has introduced The Eighty, a new software synthesizer, based on the Yamaha CS-80, that they describe as a virtual Vangelis soundalike homage."… Read More XILS-lab Intros The Eighty, A ‘Virtual Vangelis Soundalike Homage’View the full article

In this week’s edition of Software Deals, you can score some big discounts on Brainworx, IK Multimedia, Cherry Audio, Plugin Alliance, and more. Save on plugins, software synths, and bundles! ... The post Software Deals: Big Discounts on Brainworx, IK Multimedia, Cherry Audio & More appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Behringer today introduced Steps, a clone of the Mutable Instruments Stages Eurorack module.… Read More Behringer Intros Steps Eurorack Module, Their Latest Mutable Instruments CloneView the full article

The Reloop Keypad Pro is a compact portable DAW controller for beatmakers with a complete production control set and a 25-key mini keyboard. With the KeyPad Pro, you get plug-and-play Bitwig Studio integration so you can immediately take control of the popular DAW with its diverse sound library and range of creative software instruments and effects... The post Reloop Keypad Pro: Compact and Complete Bitwig Integration appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Until January 23rd, you can grab IK Multimedia’s T-RackS One exclusively on VSTBuzz for $29. This plugin regularly sells for $99, so this deal is a 70% discount. Months ago, we covered the VSTBuzz Closing Down Sale. However, the website was later re-launched with new owners and new deals. T-RackS One is designed to make [...] View post: Get IK Multimedia’s T-RackS Mastering Processor for $29 View the full article

Softube has unveiled Dimensions, a new reverb plugin kitted out with six dynamic, adaptable reverb algorithms. Dubbed a “transcendent tool for your sound”, Dimensions offers a variety of colours and sounds via six distinctive reverbs: Spring, Plate, Concert Hall, Room, Random Hall, and Cathedral. “From vibey and colourful mechanical reverbs, such as the Spring and Plate reverbs, to recreations of the most coveted reverb designs in music production, such as the ethereal Concert Hall and the famous Random Hall, with its beautiful spatialisation that glues together any source,” says Softube... The post “A collection of the greatest reverbs in recorded history”: Sof…